Anila Denaj, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, took part in the “Global Albanian Gastronomy Festival” in Berlin, Germany, where enterprises, agrobusinesses, and producers proudly displayed genuine and fresh Albanian products on the international stage.
The festival provided an opportunity for the exposure of “Made in Albania” products, as 110 firms from Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Montenegro participated. Albanian producers showcased their high-quality products and services, showcasing how prepared they are for the European market.
Minister Denaj emphasised the financial benefits of the agrotourism industry as she appealed to prominent Albanian chefs from around the world to return to Albania and invest. She said that the Prime Minister would soon present the “Mountain Package”, an initiative aimed at investing in specific regions of Albania.
The opening of the fair was attended by high-level personalities, including Vjosa Osmani, the President of Kosovo, Izet Mexhiti, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning of North Macedonia, Igli Hasani, the Albanian Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Faton Peci, and the Albanian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Ermal Dredha, the Mayor of Vlorë, the Albanian Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Faton Peci, the Kosovo Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, Ermal Dredha, the Mayor of Vlorë, Emiriana Sako, the Mayor of Durrës, and Oltion Çaçi, the Mayor of Saranda.
Along with Kosovo Minister Faton Peci, Kosovo Tourism Union Chairman Baki Hoti, and Mrizi i Zanave entrepreneur Altin Prenga, Minister Denaj took part in a discussion panel on the sustainable development of agrotourism on the opening day of the expo.
Minister Denaj underlined in her address how important it is for the Albanian government to assist this industry.
“With fiscal incentives such as 6% VAT and 5% profit tax, we are encouraging the growth of certified agrotourism units and the improvement of services offered by these businesses,” said Minister Denaj. She added that agrotourism not only preserves local human capital, but also creates jobs and financially supports farming families, with an average of 22 families benefiting from each tourist unit.
Minister Denaj appreciated that this trade fair is a great opportunity to stimulate the cooperation between the companies and the employees.
The “Global Albanian Gastronomy Festival” did more than just promote Albanian food; it also made Berlin speak Albanian for a day by turning it into a center of Albanian customs and culture. It is anticipated that the festival will become a yearly occasion, providing a fantastic chance to commemorate our identity on a global scale.
Minister Denaj met with Cem Özdemir, Germany’s Federal Minister of Agriculture, during her visit in Berlin.
“We discussed the strengthening of cooperation between Albania and Germany in the agricultural sector, its modernization, as well as the high quality products ‘Made in Albania’, which are increasingly recognized in international markets”. Minister Denaj said that relations with Germany in the field of agriculture will be intensified.